Identity Management System Based On Role

Abstract

An identity management system and method for operating the same includes assigning a role for a user, requesting access for a function of an access controller, selecting identification criteria for the function, determining identification criteria for enabling the function for the role, determining an identity of the user using the identification criteria at an arbitration system and allowing access based upon identifying the user and when identity corresponds to the identification criteria for the role.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 assigning a role for a user;   requesting access for a function of an access controller;   selecting identification criteria for the function;   determining identification criteria for enabling the function for the role;   determining an identity of the user using the identification criteria at an arbitration system; and   allowing access based upon identifying the user and when identity corresponds to the identification criteria for the role.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising registering a user into a personal information system. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising determining a status of a vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein selecting identification criteria for the function is based on the status of the vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the function for the vehicle comprises unlocking or locking a door, accessing a trunk, accessing a hood, turning an ignition on/off, turn on an accessory mode, placing the vehicle in drive, and limiting a speed of the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein determining the status of the vehicle comprises determining a location. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising determining a status of a building controller. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein registering comprises providing a user name and contact information. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein determining the identity comprises determining the identity by arbitrating between a plurality of identification systems. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein requesting access for the function is based on at least one of pulling a door handle, approaching a vehicle or pressing a button. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein assigning a role comprises assigning a role for a vehicle based on at least one of role a manager, a driver, a vehicle technician or a general role. 
     
     
         12 . An access controller comprising:
 a processor;   a non-transitory computer-readable medium including machine-readable instructions that are executable by the processor, wherein the machine-readable instructions include:   assigning a role for a user;   receiving an access request signal for a function;   selecting identification criteria for the function;   determining identification criteria for enabling the function for the role;   determining an identity of the user using the identification criteria at an arbitration system; and   allowing access based upon identifying the user and when identity corresponds to the identification criteria for the role.   
     
     
         13 . A vehicle comprising:
 the access controller of claim  12  wherein the instructions include:   determining a status of the vehicle, selecting identification criteria for the function based on the status of the vehicle.   
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 13  wherein the function for the vehicle comprises unlocking or locking a door, accessing a trunk, accessing a hood, turning an ignition on or off, turning on an accessory mode, placing the vehicle in drive, and limiting a vehicle speed. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 13  wherein the status of the vehicle comprises a location. 
     
     
         16 . An identity system of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a central controller comprising the access controller of  claim 12 ; and 
 a vehicle or building comprising an actuator controller controlled by the access controller of the central controller. 
 
     
     
         17 . A building comprising:
 the system of  claim 12 ;   wherein the instructions include determining a status of a building.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the instructions for determining the identity comprise determining the identity by arbitrating between a plurality of identification systems. 
     
     
         19 . The access controller of  claim 12  wherein the instruction for receiving the access request signal is based on at least one of pulling a door handle, approaching a vehicle or pressing a button. 
     
     
         20 . The access controller of  claim 12  wherein the instruction for assigning a role is based on at least one of a manager, a driver, a vehicle technician and a general role.